FAFSA: "The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is Unavailable at this Time."

Hold the phone!  The New York Times reports that the IRS data retrieval tool has not been functioning since March 3.

And yes, yes you do care.

The IRS data retrieval tool allows the FAFSA system to electronically pull the tax information that it needs to calculate your federal financial aid and the family contribution to your student's college education.  When all goes well, you just click a button on the FAFSA system and you're done.  Well, that's the plan.

The NYT reports that the data retrieval tool was disabled by the IRS over data security concerns.  And that the tool has not worked since March 3.

You can still enter the information manually on the FAFSA site.  The only downside is that it may slow down your financial aid award because you information may need to be audited.  And if any part of the college financial aid system relies on the IRS data retrieval tool, that system will not be able to run properly.

If you don't have your financial award, or if you award is missing the "financial need" portion of your financial aid package, you should call the college to let them know.  Let them know what you expected (for example, "I'm sure I should have qualified for some federal grants or loans") and ask them to make sure that there is not more that should be part of your package.

Good luck!